Denis Napthine with local racehorse Neykundu, with strapper Robina Milne and ridden by Rhagan Cross. 87592 Picture: DONNA OATES
By Russell Bennett
A 2400-metre turf racetrack dubbed by the Victorian Racing Minister as “the best anywhere in the world” will be the centrepiece of the new Pakenham Racing Club site at Tynong.
Dr Denis Napthine was on hand yesterday to turn the first sod, officially signalling the start of construction for Victoria’s first new thoroughbred racetrack in almost 40 years.
The 246-hectare site on the Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road at Tynong will be transformed over the next two years to become the new home of the Pakenham Racing Club.
In addition to the 2400-metre turf track, the development will include two high-quality sand training tracks, a modern grandstand and customer facilities, and 16 trainer allotments adjacent to the racecourse.
Dr Napthine said the $60 million funded and managed by the Pakenham Racing Club in stage one of the project was “the biggest investment in Victoria in decades”, adding the racetrack “will be the best anywhere in the world as far as providing opportunity for horses to do their best”.
Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines said: “This is our most important infrastructure announcement for some time, and will be into the future.
“The Pakenham Racing Club is to be commended for reinvesting the funds obtained from the sale of their current site back into a first-class facility for the benefit of the racing industry.”
Pakenham Racing chief executive Michael Hodge said the club’s long-term vision for the new Pakenham racecourse included a 2000-metre synthetic track, capability for future night racing, hotel-motel accommodation and an equine veterinary centre.
The new Pakenham Racetrack is expected to be ready for horse training in mid-2014, with racing to commence later that year. It will host as many as 24 race meetings a year, with potential for more in the years to come.
